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Hogtown Hash House Harriers is the Toronto, Canada chapter of what is frequently referred to as "the international drinking club with a running problem."

WHY?

This tradition was started in 1938 by a group of British expatriates stationed in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia as a way of using physical exercise to get rid of hangovers. Before creating another one. There are hundreds of groups around the world.

WHAT?

Beer-Run-Beer

A typical Hash will begin at a bar for a social meet-up, depart within 15-30 minutes, run, and return. The Hash will normally take in a stop for at least one beer (included in price, normally $7), before returning to the start, where violations of etiquette during the run will be punished with more beer (included in price) and bad singing (also gratis).

Hashes are followed by food, plentiful refreshment, and much conviviality (at own cost) at the starting point, unless otherwise posted.

WHERE?

Members, known as Hashers, run or jog or walk a pre-set route, known as a trail, of about 5-8 km, which are set all over Toronto (and normally as close to the TTC as possible).

Trails are normally marked in chalk or flour by one member (known as a Hare), who is the only person to know the route prior to the run.

Hashes take in various urban routes/sights and off-road obstacles (shiggy), and are created in such a way that marathon runners and walkers complete the course in about the same time (normally 45-60 mins).

WHO?

Hashes are not races, and actual running ability is not in any way necessary, although Hashes are a good way to create it. Our group covers semi-serious runners, to new runners, to never have and never likely to run-ners.

First time Hashers are known as Just (insert real name) until doing something noteworthy with the group, upon which time they receive a Hash name, some of which you can see on this site.

Hashes take place around the globe and Hogtown Hashers form part of a global community. Hogtown meetup features Hashers who began Hashing in China, Kyrgyzstan, the USA, various Caribbean idylls, and other spots around the world.

The HogtownH3 "kennel" was founded by Duncan "Plunger" Plastow in November 1987. We now have who knows how many, but at least several hundred members, with about 10-20 running at our weekly runs (not all are on MeetUp - attendances are normally 2-3 times higher than the sign up rate).

WHEN?

There are five distinct(ish) regular runs within Hogtown Hash House Harriers set-up and runs are held regardless of weather/temperature/acts of higher beings year-round. Hashes are never cancelled.

1. Hogtown - alternate Mondays and Saturdays, every full moon, various special dates (Christmas, February 29, etc.)

2. Hogan's - the last Friday of every month. Always at least two stops for beer.

3. TWAT (Toronto Women's Alternate Thursdays) - every other Thursday. Women must (if we have enough of them) lead the run.